ABSTRACT
As per AISHE, 2017–18, the total enrolment of students in higher education in Bihar is 14.61 Lakhs. Of these students, 81% are in government institutions and 13% in private institutions of higher education. Interviews and focus-group discussion reveal that students who come from difficult circumstances into higher education face difficulty in their choice of a college. They suffer from a lack of motivation and economic hardship in continuing serious study. They are discriminated against and often denied access to hostels. With respect to the teaching–learning process, student absenteeism in colleges is high. There are, however, many private colleges where classes are not held. Wherever classes are held, guest teachers and research scholars help to complete the syllabus. The examination system is inefficient as most of the universities have late sessions due to long examination schedules and delays in the publication of results. In postgraduate departments, a semester system has been adopted. Though students like the semester system, marking is liberal in internal assessment and generally there are unfair practices in the end of term examinations.
